District
| Elementary Curriculum |
Elementary Core Curriculum
Reading/Writing
MSD In the primary grades, students learn to read and write phonics, language structure and meaning. In the intermediate grades, students read to learn in order to acquire new information, expand writing skills and apply grammar.
In the primary grades, students learn to read and write phonics, language structure and meaning. In the intermediate grades, students read to learn in order to acquire new information, expand writing skills and apply grammar.
Mathematics
MSD utilizes the Scott Foresman 2005 math program. It also incorporates Investigations in Numbers, Data, and Space developed by TERC. Our program reflects the national standards and PA standards. These standards provide students with the opportunity to develop the mathematical understandings needed to pursue higher education and to compete in a global, technological society. These standards include becoming mathematical problem solvers, communicating mathematically, reasoning mathematically, and making mathematical connections. The categories include: algebra, patterns, measurement, data analysis, and number sense.
Science
MSD students are provided the opportunity to attain high levels of scientific literacy. Scientific literacy means being able to use scientific knowledge and ways of thinking in daily life. Scientific literacy ensures the ability of our students to participate fully as informed citizens and decision-makers in a scientific and technological world. Standards in the areas of Physical Science, Life Science, Earth/Space Science, and Technological Science are covered in each grade.
Learning science is an active process. Students learn science by describing objects and events, and asking questions. Students learn science by acquiring knowledge and constructing explanations of natural phenomena. Students learn by testing those explanations many different ways and communicating their ideas to others. There is more emphasis on activities that analyze and investigate science questions, and less emphasis on activities that demonstrate and verify science content. In this way, students actively develop understanding of science by combining scientific knowledge with reasoning and thinking skills. Students have the opportunity to examine the impact science has had and will have on society.
Social Studies
MSD students are taught Social Studies throughout the elementary program. The primary purpose of the program is to help children develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world. Students learn about their communities, their state, their country, and the world. Concepts from the fields of anthropology, archeology, economics, geography, history, as well as appropriate content from the humanities, mathematics and natural sciences frame what students learn. In SS, students are taught to combine knowledge about their community, nation and the world with the skills of data collection and analysis, collaboration, decision-making, and problem solving. In MSD, we believe that students who have these commitments, knowledge and skills will be the most capable of shaping our future and positively participating in our democracy.
Science Units
Grade – Kindergarten
Physical : Materials Have Property
Earth/Space: Weather, Plants/Seeds
Life: Classifying Living Things/Five Senses
Zoo & Farm Animals
Grade 1
Physical: Solids, Liquids, Gases
Life: Creepy Crawlies/ Drug & Alcohol/Dental Health
Earth/Space: Habitats ~ desert, river, city
Science/Tech: How People Move Things
Grade 2
Physical: Force and Motion
Life: Understand Life Cycles of Organisms
Earth/Space: Plants & Soil Science
Science/Tech: Energy
Grade 3
Physical: Sound and Light
Life: Human Body/Nutrition/Classifying
Living Things
Earth/Space: Water Cycle
Science/tech: How Buildings Work
Grade 4
Physical: Mixtures & Solutions
Electricity ~ batteries & Bulbs/Magnetism
Life: Tiny Water Life/Microscopes
Earth/Space: Solar System
Science/Tech: Environment/Endangered Species
Grade 5
Physical: Motion & Design
Life: Plant & Animal Cycles
Earth/Space: Solar Energy/Geology
Science/Tech: Food Chains & Webs
Social Studies units
K Social Skills
Family & Friends
Community members
1st Families
Maps
Holidays
2nd Time For Kids (current events)
Maps
3rd Time For Kids (current events)
Community ~ Morrisvilles
Presidents
Countries
Maps
4th PA History and Geography
US documents
US monuments
US regions – states and capitols
5th American History
Explorers to Colonial Times
